An Associated Press photographer reported some homes had collapsed in the centre of the city and that many people had fled into the streets for safety.

Radio stations have reported a fire in one district of Lima and that several poorly constructed homes have also been knocked down in Pisco, a town near the epicenter of the quake.

The US Geological Survey at first said there were two earthquakes within minutes of each other but later amended its reports to show that one quake struck about 90 miles (145 km) southeast of Lima at a depth of around 25 miles (40 km). It was followed by several aftershocks.

Earthquakes measuring more than 7 magnitude often result in fatalities, it added.